The V Words: Valentines, Vanity, and Vendettas

1.
“V is very, very extraordinary.” Extraordinary can have either a positive or sometimes negative connotation, but no matter what it means going beyond the norms. Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and it can be quite an “extraordinary” holiday.

We created this holiday to honor the ones we love. However, if you’re not with anyone or you don’t have a valentine then you will be one of many on “Single’s Awareness Day.”

But hey, for some it will be nice to think of love and have some candy during the cold month of February. I just wish we could love each other everyday and show our appreciation not just one day of the year.

2.
Vanity is also quite extraordinary. Girls put way too much time into to their appearances. I admit I never go anywhere without eyeliner.

But is this good or bad? One of my friends says guys should realize how much work we put into making ourselves look good for them.

Another friend mentioned how it’s ridiculous how much time we take getting ready for a night out that usually ends with us going home with our girlfriends anyway.

Vanity, ladies, is not something I think we should pride ourselves on. Upkeep is clearly essential and you should have enough pride to take a shower and put on a clean shirt, but why all the hubbub about looking good?

Well, Hollywood and the need to feel wanted are key to this. We may wear a pushup bra and a little extra lip gloss in hopes that the boy in class will ask us out this weekend.

Though superficial, physical attributes are usually what catches most people’s eye first. I like to think I can pride myself on choosing personality over looks, but there are definitely certain things we are all attracted to.

I guess I’m saying that it’s a shame that girls think they need to look a certain way to be liked, why not being liked and valued because of minds and beliefs or our character?

3.
This leads us into Va-jay-jay’s. I will be honest and say I’m no expert on sex or love, but my mother is a gynecologist, and I understand enough.

First of all there is nothing wrong if you are a virgin. I also don’t think there is anything wrong with us expressing our love in a physical way if you really love and care for someone.

I’ll be honest that I’m not a huge fan of random flings or this need to quickly lose one’s virginity. I think sex is something deep and meaningful, not something you just have to have.

One night stands do fill a temporary void and you may be physically satisfied; we all have needs, but I know that I couldn’t do that without a deeper connection.

I’m not going to harp on you whether you want to wait till marriage or not to have sex with someone, but I hope it’s with someone who respects you. Feeling used is never a good situation, trust me.

Ladies, be proud of your vaginas and be proud if you’re a virgin. There is nothing wrong in respecting yourself and standing up for it, that’s actually quite extraordinary. Look at The Bachelor, one of the girls made it clear that she was a virgin and proud of it—needless to say she did not receive a rose that night.

Same goes for you guys. Just because it may seem like something you have to do to be a man, it’s not. I would much rather have a guy respect me and his own values, than take advantage of the situation. A guy like that is quite extraordinary.

4.
Now vendettas are quite interesting. We come up with revengeful ideas and issues extremely quickly in our culture.
One thing doesn’t go our way and we’re on the war path to take that sucker out. This I find happens a lot with relationships, whether it’s when someone cheats, lies or does something else extraordinarily stupid.

Vendettas—though they make us feel a bit better or stronger, and give us something to work for—probably aren’t the healthiest habit to pick up.

I hope you have an extraordinary Valentine’s Day without the need for vanity, vexing your va-jay-jays and vendettas!

Heather Gromley can be reached at hgroms@gmail.com.